5 Things to Do This Weekend

Click inside for the weekly entertainment guide, including a look at “Shrek Forever After” and “MacGruber,” or check out these links:

Two thumbs up

There are two big movies opening this weekend, one for the whole family and one for adults only. “Shrek Forever After,” the last movie in the Shrek franchise, returns to the silver screen in all his green glory. If you liked the other Shrek movies, you’ll enjoy this one, and it’s rated PG, making it a great family film. The not-for-kids movie is “MacGruber,” the R-rated Will Forte-Kristen Wiig movie based on a “Saturday Night Live” sketch. Advance reviews have been glowing, but they also warn of rampant raunchiness, so be advised. We just hope Betty White makes a cameo. …

Bike to Work … or to errands

This weekend marks the end of Bike to Work Week, and Friday is Bike to Work Day. If at all possible, consider riding your bicycle instead of driving your car – it’s good for the environment, good for your pocketbook and good for your health. If you can’t bike to work, consider biking this weekend instead of driving. You can even make it a fun family affair by getting the kids on bikes, too. The League of American Bicyclists has a good website with information on bike clubs and Bike to Work Week info, so check it out at www.bikeleague.org. Or check with your local bike shop to see if anything is planned.

Celebrate diversity

Friday also is World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, a United Nations holiday started after the Sept. 11 attacks. Many cultural centers, churches and other community-oriented places will be holding events such as diversity dinners to mark the day, so check the paper or call around if you’re interested. Or head to the U.N.’s website for more information on the day: www.un.org/Depts/dhl/cultural_diversity/index.html.

You gotta love sports

It’s an exciting weekend if you’re a sports fan. The first-ever Saturday Champions League final (the European soccer equivalent of the Super Bowl) is on national TV for the first time in the U.S.; it will be broadcast on Fox, with pregame coverage beginning at 2:30 p.m. EDT. This year’s final features Bayern Munich and Internazionale (better known as Inter Milan). Also this weekend, NBA and NHL playoff action continues, the WNBA has a full slate of games, the NASCAR All-Star Race takes place and much more.

Save the turtles

Sunday is World Turtle Day, a day designed to bring awareness to the plight of turtles and tortoises worldwide. The day is a good chance to educate your family about turtles and the problems they face (many face extinction). If there’s a zoo or nature center near you, check to see if they’re holding special events for the day, or head to the library or bookstore and check out some books on turtles. For more information on the day, go to www.tortoise.com.